Method and device for supplying of a data set stored in a database

ABSTRACT

Method and device for supplying of a data set stored in a database to supply of a data set, e.g. the content of a copy protected audio CD, which is stored in a database, e.g. to a user PC on which said content of a copy protected audio CD cannot be accessed, the following steps are performed: receiving a serial code of a set of serial codes assigned to said data set, verifying of said received serial code, in case of a positive verification, accessing said data set correspond to said received and positively verified serial code from said database and outputting of at least parts of said accessed data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation Application of, and claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from, U.S. Ser. No. 10/504,342,filed Aug. 12, 2004, herein incorporated by reference, which is aNational Stage Application of International Application No.PCT/EP03/01384, filed Feb. 12, 2003.

The present invention relates to a method for supplying of a data setstored in a database and a corresponding data set supplying device aswell as a data carrier relating to said method and device.

In particular, the present invention relates to a method for supplyingof a data set via a database, which data set is normally stored anddistributed to users on a copy protected data carrier, e.g. the audiodata stored on a copy protected audio compact disc (CD) or theaudio/video data stored on a copy protected digital versatile disc(DVD).

Most modern personal computers are already well-equipped with recordinghard and software which makes it easy to record music and/or video oncompact disc recordables (CD-R) or digital versatile disc recordables(DVD-R). Within the last couple of years the number of copies made froma single sound carrier tremendously increased. Therefore, the music andvideo industry found different solutions to protect their audio andvideo CDs and DVDs from illegal duplication and copy right infringement.

These copy protection solutions normally allow to play copy protectedrecord carriers on CD-audio players, car hi-fi systems, game consoles,like Play Station™ and PS2™, DVD-players and SACD players. However, thespecial signatures used prevent playback and a copying on personalcomputers and thus offer high robustness on copy protection. The specialsignature might be designed to not change a single bit in the audioand/or video data stream to protect the quality of the originalrecording by the artist and to comply with the respective standards,e.g. the Red-Book for CDs, which do not allow built-in uncorrectableerrors.

However, due to the fact that such copy protected CDs or DVDs cannot beplayed back on a PC, customers who purchased such record carriers feelrestricted in their playback possibilities due to not being able to usethese record media on their personal computers of laptops.

Therefore, it is the object underlying the present invention to providesuch a content, i.e. data set, so that a user is able to install it on apersonal computer or laptop which is not able to read the copy protectedrecord media.

This object is solved by a method for supplying of a data set stored ina database according to the present invention as defined in independentclaim 1, a data set supplying device according to the present inventionas defined in independent claim 21, and a data carrier according to thepresent invention as defined in independent claim 34. Preferredembodiments thereof are respectively defined in the respective followingsub claims. A computer program product according to the presentinvention is defined in claim 19 and a storage medium storing a computerprogram product according to the present invention is defined in claim20.

The key feature of the present invention is that every data set, e.g.content of an audio CD or a DVD, gets at least one serial code assignedwith which after verification said data set might be supplied from adatabase to a customer. Therewith, according to the present invention anindividual copy protected audio CD might be supplied with an individualserial code, normally a unique alphanumeric number on the recordcarrier, inside or on back of the booklet supplied together with the CD,with which serial code the content of the particular audio CD might bedownloaded to the personal computer of a user, since the serial codecomprises a pointer functionality to said particular data set by theassignment thereto. The database might additionally be secured with anaccess restriction, such as a password, etc. . . . . The key might alsobe stored as data on the record carrier in which case an automaticaccess, e.g. streaming or download, of the corresponding data afterinsertion of the respective CD into a correspondingly designed CD playeror a computer, such as a PC or laptop, will be possible. A data set inthe sense of the present invention might be the complete audio contentof a CD or the complete audio/video content of a DVD, i.e. a fixedamount of data representing a predetermined content of a storage medium.

The method for supplying of a data set stored in a database according tothe present invention comprises the following steps:

-   -   receiving a serial code of a set of serial codes assigned to        said data set,    -   verifying of said received serial code,    -   in case of a positive verification, accessing said data set        corresponding to said received and positively verified serial        code from said database, and outputting of at least parts of        said accessed data set.

Corresponding thereto, a data set supplying device, comprising adatabase for storing data sets, according to the present inventioncomprises the following additional means:

-   -   a serial code receiving means for receiving a serial code of a        set of serial codes assigned to said data set,    -   a verification means for verifying of said received serial code,    -   an accessing means for, in case of a positive verification,        accessing said data set corresponding to said received and        positively verified serial code from said database, and    -   an output means for outputting of at least parts of said        accessed data set.

Finally, a data carrier, comprising a copy protection for a data setstored on said data carrier, according to the present inventioncomprises a serialization associated to said data set stored on saiddata carrier.

Therewith, according to the present invention, a unique serial codemight be associated to only one individual record carrier, i.e. assignedto a data set stored on said individual record carrier. All other recordcarriers of the same type, i.e. storing the same data set, might have arespective other serial code of the set of serial codes assigned, whichset of serial codes might be assigned to all or a predetermined part ofall record carriers of the same type. In other words, a customer buyinga copy protected audio CD might receive a unique serial code with theaudio CD, which serial code is assigned to the audio data recorded onthe CD. Another customer, buying another copy protected audio CD withthe same content might receive another serial code associated to thesame audio data. Having a serial code, the customer might download theassociated data set, e.g. the whole audio content of the CD, or selectedparts thereof, e.g. only selected tracks. It is also possible thatadditional data, e.g. bonus tracks which are not included on the recordcarrier, e.g. the audio CD, are additionally accessible for the user.This additional access might have an extra limitation, e.g. to the firstaccess or to a predetermined access type (e.g. streaming or download).

Further, after a data set supplying device according to the presentinvention, e.g. an internet server, received such a serial code, e.g.through a user interface, a verification is performed and in case theserial code is positively verified, the corresponding data set, i.e. theaudio data to which the serial code is assigned, is output to the user.

It is possible to log the procedure and to supply the corresponding dataset only a predetermined amount of times, e.g. once. Also, a distinctionbetween download, i.e. storing of the supplied data set on the userside, and streaming, i.e. only output, but no storing of the supplieddata set on the user side, could be made so that streaming might bealways allowed whereas download might only be allowed a predeterminedamount of times, e.g. once. In such a case a data set supplying deviceaccording to the present invention would additionally comprise a loggingmeans for monitoring the use of a serial code and restricting the accessto the corresponding data set, e.g. by affecting the verification.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the presentinvention, an encryption of said data set with a digital rightmanagement encryption is performed, e.g. after said data set is accessedand before it is output.

Correspondingly, a data set supplying device according to this preferredembodiment of the present invention additionally comprises an encryptionmeans for encryption of said data set with a digital right managementencryption after said data set is accessed and before it is output.

In this case, said digital right management encryption might be based onthe serial code assigned to said data set.

As will be further elucidated below, the digital right managementencryption is a system according to which it is secured that data whichis installed or copied on a PC can only be properly accessed with andecryption key which is only supplied a predetermined amount of times,e.g. once. In other words, the content of an audio CD downloaded on auser PC also which received the proper decryption key can only be playedback on said particular user PC, if the decryption key is not suppliedto another user PC which also received the downloaded audio data.

In the method and/or for the data set supplying device according to thepresent invention a user who wants to receive said data set stored insaid database might obtain said serial code after a contract about therights to use said data set is made with the supplier of said data set.

Alternatively or additionally, in the method and/or for the data setsupplying device according to the present invention a user who wants toreceive said data set stored in said database might obtain said serialcode when purchasing said data set on a data carrier.

In the latter case, said serial code might be an unique serial codewhich is assigned to only one data carrier storing said data set andsaid set of serial codes are all serial codes assigned to all or apredetermined part of all data carriers storing the same data set.

In the latter case, alternatively or additionally, said serial codemight be stored as data on said data carrier.

In the latter case, further alternatively or additionally, said serialcode might be associated to said data carrier by being supplied on acase of said data carrier and/or on a written description delivered withsaid data carrier.

In the latter case, still further alternatively or additionally, saiddata carrier might be protected against copying said data set from saiddata carrier.

In the method according to the present invention said step of verifyingof said received serial code might comprise the step of:

-   -   determining a positive verification in case said serial code is        valid in terms of general rules for the structure of a serial        code.

In the method according to the present invention said step of verifyingof said received serial code might alternatively or additionallycomprise the step of:

-   -   determining a positive verification in case said data set should        be downloaded and said serial code is not disabled for the data        retrieval,

In the method according to the present invention a serial code might getdisabled for the data retrieval in case the associated data set wasoutput a first predetermined amount of times as download.

Alternatively or additionally, in the method according to the presentinvention a serial code might get disabled for the data retrieval incase the associated data set was output a second predetermined amount oftimes as streaming.

Correspondingly, in a data set supplying device according to the presentinvention these verifying and/or disabling steps might be performed bysaid verification means.

In the method according to the present invention said database might beremotely accessible.

In the method according to the present invention said database might beaccessible via the internet or any other network.

Correspondingly, a data set supplying device according to the presentinvention might be remotely accessible, e.g. via the internet or anyother network. As set out above, the data set supplying device accordingto the present invention might be realized as internet server.

In the method and/or for the data set supplying device according to thepresent invention said serial code might comprise an alphanumeric codewith a predetermined number of digits.

Alternatively or additionally, in the method and/or for the data setsupplying device according to the present invention said serial codemight comprise a computer readable code, e.g. a barcode.

In the method and/or for the data set supplying device according to thepresent invention said data set might comprise video and/or audio data.

A computer program product according to the present invention comprisescomputer program means adapted to perform the method steps as elucidatedabove when being executed on a computer, digital signal processor, orthe like.

A storage medium according to the present invention stores a computerprogram product according to the present invention.

A data carrier according to the present invention might be not readableby a computer.

Alternatively or additionally, a data carrier according to the presentinvention might be a CD or a DVD.

Further objects, features and advantages of the method, the device andthe data carrier according to the present invention are elucidated inthe following on basis of an exemplary embodiment according to thepresent invention in connection with the accompanying

FIG. 1 which shows a sequence diagram elucidating the method, device andrecord carrier according to an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention to offer a customer the possibility to transfer the content ofa purchased copy protected record carrier to a personal computer.

The illustrative preferred embodiment described in the following is anaudio copy control system which is designed to fight domestic piracy bypreventing CD to CD-R copying. The main benefits of the here appliedcopy protection scheme which is disclosed in the Applicant's PCT-PatentApplication PCT/EP01/02633 which is herewith incorporated by referenceinto this Application is highest copy protection efficiency togetherwith full compatibility with the existing audio CD players, carhi-fi-systems, DVD video players, SuperAudio CD players, and gameconsoles such as PlayStation™ and PlayStation 2™ consoles.

Extensive testing regarding the efficiency of the system provided that90% of the CD-ROM/DVD drives judge the protected CD as not readable andtherefore the audio CD can neither be copied nor ripped. On the otherhand, the audio part fully complies with the Red Book standard, i.e. nota single bit is changed in the audio data stream which means that nouncorrectable errors are used to protect the audio data. This gives thehighest audio quality for the protected music.

Further, the method, device and record carrier according to the presentinvention provide a full playability of the data recorded on the copyprotected record carrier on a computer via an internet download orstreaming solution which is—in a preferred embodiment—again securedagainst unauthorized copying by way of a digital rights management, asdescribed in the following in connection with FIG. 1.

A data carrier according to the present invention, such as an audio CD 1which comprises a copy protection for the audio data which is storedthereon, comprises a serialization associated to said audio data storedthereon. In the shown example the serialization is a unique serial code,i.e. a serial code which is only once associated to said particularaudio data on said particular audio CD. In other words, also anotheraudio CD comprising the same audio data does not have the same serialcode. The serial code in FIG. 1 is a 9 digit code which is divided inthree packets of three digits and which reads KK2-PK4-LMS.

In case a user wants to transfer the audio data comprised on the audioCD 1 to a user PC 2, the serial code KK2-PK4-LMS associated to theparticular audio data on the particular audio CD 1 has to be entered ina step S1 to the user PC 2, e.g. within an internet browser. Thereafter,the serial code is transferred from the user PC 2 to a data setsupplying device 9 according to the present invention, e.g. an internetserver, in a step S2.

The data set supplying device 9 receives said serial code in a step S3with a serial code receiving means 3. The serial code might be one of aset of serial codes assigned to said particular audio data, wherein eachparticular audio CD storing said particular audio data has a differentunique serial code and all serial codes or a particular part of allserial codes associated to the same audio data, but to different audioCDs, built the set of serial codes.

The serial code received in step S3 gets verified in a step S4 by averification means 4. In case the verification is negative, i.e. theserial code is invalid, the process proceeds to a step S9 and stops.This means, the audio data is not transferred to the user, since theserial code entered in step S1 and transferred to the data set supplyingdevice 9 in step S2 was invalid.

Invalidity of a serial code might be given in case of a wrong serialcode structure, e.g. a different number of digits, a not assigned serialcode, a already disabled serial code, an infringement of serial codedesign rules, etc.

In case the verification result is positive, the process proceeds with astep S5 in which an accessing means 5 accesses a database 6 whichsupplies the requested audio data in a step S6 to the accessing means 5.The accessed data is passed on to an output means 7 which outputs theaudio data corresponding to the input serial code in a step S7. In thepreferred embodiment an encryption of the accessed data is performed ina step S8 by an encryption means 8 after said data is accessed andbefore it is output.

The output data is transferred to the user PC 2 as a download in stepS10. Alternatively, the output data could be supplied to the user PC 2as a streaming in which case an encryption of the accessed data might benot necessary depending on the music player installed on the user PC 2which is used for reproducing the streamed audio data.

In case the user wants to reproduce the downloaded audio data with theuser PC 2, the digital right management system which is explained in thefollowing ensures that no unauthorized copying and distribution of thetransferred audio data is performed. When a request for playing themusic corresponding to the downloaded audio data is issued from the userto the playback program installed within the user PC 2 this programlooks for a decryption key to decrypt the encrypted and downloaded audiodata in a step S11. This decryption key corresponds to the license toplay the corresponding audio data on the particular user PC 2. In casethe encryption key exists on the user PC 2 the audio data is played instep S12.

In case no encryption key for the particular audio data exists on theuser PC 2 a request is issued to a digital rights management server toprovide the encryption key. This request might be issued via theinternet. The digital rights management server checks in a step S13whether a license number for this particular audio data might be issuedor not. For example, for an audio CD only one license number might beissued.

In case it is still possible to issue the license number, e.g. nolicense number was issued before, it is transferred to the user PC 2,installed thereon and the audio data are played back in step S15. Incase the limit of license numbers to be issued for the particular audiodata is reached, the process stops in step S14 and no license number isinstalled on the user PC 2. In this case no playback of the audio datawould be possible with the user PC 2.

The digital rights management server might be included within the dataset supplying device 9, e.g. within the same internet portal or on thesame internet server.

The described Online Solution according to the present invention enablesCD-owners to download or stream the music tracks which are on the copyprotected audio CD.

The system can also be integrated in artists' web sites seamlessly—so itdoes not have to be seen as a special music portal.

In order to prevent file sharing with online music exchange portals orthe like, the music files are in general supplied with the describedcopy protection system.

Each copy protected CD according to the present invention is suppliedwith a serial code, e.g. an unique alphanumeric number inside or on theback of the booklets. The serial code might consist of 9-digitcombination of numbers and characters which is different for every CD.

The buyer of a copy protected CD can download or stream the respectivemusic tracks from artist's web site or a special music portal afterentering this code.

The serial code is checked for its validity and the procedure might belogged. Thus the origin of this copy protected CD is theoreticallyretraceable down to the production process.

The described Online Solution offers the tracks for tethered download orstreaming.

When downloading, the music file is transmitted once to the customer'shard disk and can be played back from there after the download iscompleted. The digital rights management system, e.g. the describedonline copy protection system, ensures that music files are unusable forthird parties or illegitimate users.

When streaming the music files are (in contrast to the download) notstored on the customers hard disk. The data stream is not recorded butdirectly played back by the computer. The advantage of this method isthat music can be played back from the very first second of thetransmission.

Streaming does not currently play a major role in the internet comparedto download, but it is becoming more and more important with theincreasing use of flat rates and broad band internet.

Another advantage of streaming is its ability to adapt itself to thespeed of the customers internet connection (sure stream). Thus, evenusers with a very slow internet connection are able to stream musicfiles without any interruption although with a lower audio quality).

In general, any available file formats for streaming or downloading canbe used with this system, e.g. Windows Media™ and Real Audio™

Windows Media™ is similar to MP3, but comes with a higher compressionrate and above all with an integrated digital rights standard. RealMedia™ is the most common streaming solution at the present time.

Both formats offer good audio quality with low bandwidth requirementsand can be used with Apple MAC and PC MS-Windows systems.

The Microsoft Windows Media Player™ can be used for streaming anddownload. It can be used with MAC or Microsoft operating systems.

The Real Player™ is used for streaming the music files. It can be usedwith MAC or Microsoft operating systems.

The described Online Solution shall be understood as a supplement of theabove referenced audio copy protection system. Therefore, security andcopy protection of the offered music files have highest priority.

In addition to the validation of the serial codes, the preferredembodiment including the Digital Rights Management of the music filesplays a central role. The function of these two mechanisms in contextwith the music is explained below:

Layer 1: the Serial Code

In a central security database each audio disc is associated with aserial code. This code might be a 9-digit alpha numerical combinationwhich does not contain the numbers [0] and [1] and the charactersnumbers [0] and [I] in order to ensure good legibility. Accordingly morethan 35 Trillions of combinations are available.

Example for serial code: KK2-PK4-LMS

When the user has entered his serial code into the music portal, thecode is verified and if it is valid the tracks of the corresponding CDare offered for tethered download or streaming.

Layer 2: Digital Rights Management

Whenever a download is requested by a user, the music file is encryptedwith individual parameters and supplied with digital rights. Such anencrypted file cannot be played back until a proper key is installed onthe user's computer. Such a key is an encrypted file with few kB memoryspace, which is integrated into the operating system of the consumer'sPC.

When the music file is played back for the very first time, usuallyimmediately after the download, the installed player contacts the keyserver, which determines the rights to be issued from the securitydatabase. The publisher can define different rights in the DigitalRights Management—such as access rights per title, per individual musictrack—or even expiration date on usage.

Based on the information contained by the encrypted music file and therights set in the security database, a key is generated and sent to theinstalled player of the user. This key is implemented into the operatingsystem of the user.

The complete Rights Management procedure happens fairly imperceptiblefor the user and is finished within a couple of seconds.

Once there is a key installed for the respective music file, there is noconnection to the key server required any more. Thus, after a music filehas been installed with its proper key, it can be played back offlineany time.

As the key is associated with the computer's internal data, it cannot becopied. Therefore, the music file will not play on another computer ifpassed on. A further key will only be issued if this is permitted by thepublisher—for example to three PCs (Home PC, Office PC and Laptop).

With the described music portal i.e. data set supplying device 9, theissued keys are in general valid for all tracks of a CD. Thus, if a keyhas been installed on a computer, each online track of this CD can beplayed back immediate offline without requiring a separate key.

The most important specification of this copy protection system is thatthe music file cannot be passed on. There are a number of furtherfeatures which allow to specify the rights of a music file moreprecisely.

The following list outlines some of the most important digital rightspossibilities without going to much into detail:

-   -   Date limitation of the possibility to play back:        -   works offline, file is locked when the system clock is set            to a previous date.    -   Limitation of the number of play backs:        -   works offline    -   The right to copy the file to a portable player.    -   Limitation of the number of copies to portable players.

A further application area are pre-releases for radio stations. Suchpre-releases can be protected with the Digital Rights Management system.The protected pre-releases can either be published on CD-R or providedfor download in combination with the serial code, e.g. the unique9-digit code. The publisher is able to specify a start-date and anexpiration date or a maximum number of uses, for example.

Therefore, music releases can be distributed simultaneously to differentradio stations, thus giving them the possibility to have differentrelease dates. With the described mechanism the publisher is able tocontrol the date of release by the minute for each radio stationseparately.

As mentioned above, because of the serial code serial code supplied withthe CD or DVD, only customers who have purchased the CD or DVD haveaccess to the online files. As a future opinion, a combination with anonline shop for purchasing a serial code can be established. This willenable customers to buy music download without having bought the CD orDVD. Of course, also all other storage media are applicable to thepresent invention.

An illegal user might be able to download the music files with aillegally obtained serial code. But when he tries to play back one ofthe downloaded songs, the system recognizes that the key for these fileshas already been issued to another user and refuses to play back thefiles.

Even streaming of music files can be furnished with a digital rightsmanagement in order to refuse streaming with shared serial codes.

1. A system comprising: a first computing device having a first datastore, a first processor and a first network interface connected to anetwork; and a second computing device having a second data store, asecond processor and a second network interface connected to thenetwork, wherein the first computing device is configured to: access acopy protected data carrier having a first data set including at leastaudio/video content, the first data set being associated with a uniquecode, and transfer the unique code obtained from the copy protected datacarrier to the second computing device via the network, the secondcomputing device is configured to: verify the unique code as a validcode associated with the copy protected data carrier, output a seconddata set of audio/video content associated with the unique code to thefirst computing device via the network based on a positive result by theverifying, the second data set including a least a portion ofaudio/video content that is common to the audio/video content stored onthe copy protected data carrier, generate a log of either or both ofverification or output instances, and compare each receipt of saidunique code from the first computing device against the log and inresponse to a predetermined verification or output limit being reached,suspend the output of the portion of audio/video content that is commonto the audio/video content stored on the copy protected data carrier. 2.The system according to claim 1, wherein the unique code is stored asdata on the copy protected data carrier.
 3. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the verification of the unique code enables automaticaccess to the second data set on the second computing device via abrowser.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the output of thesecond data set is a download and wherein streaming of the second dataset is also permitted in response to the verification of the receivedunique code.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the audio/videocontent of the first data set and the audio/video content of the seconddata set are in a different data format.
 6. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the audio/video content of the first data set and theaudio/video content of the second data set are compressed differently.7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second data set isencrypted before being output to the first computing device.
 8. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the second data set is controlledby digital rights management to prevent further transfer of theaudio/video content of the second data set from the first computingdevice.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second data setis controlled by digital rights management to prevent the audio/videocontent of the second data set from being transferred to more than apredetermined number of additional devices.
 10. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the second data set is controlled by digital rightsmanagement by providing a key associated with the first computingdevice's internal data.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein theoutput of the portion of audio/video content that is common to theaudio/video content stored on the copy protected data carrier issuspended after a date.
 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein thesecond data set includes further content related to the first data setstored on the copy protected data carrier.
 13. A method executed by afirst computing device having a first data store, a first processor anda first network interface connected to a network and a second computingdevice having a second data store, a second processor and a secondnetwork interface connected to the network, comprising: accessing, atthe first computing device, a copy protected data carrier having a firstdata set including at least audio/video content, the first data setbeing associated with a unique code; transferring, from the firstcomputing device, the unique code obtained from the copy protected datacarrier to the second computing device via the network; verifying, atthe second computing device, the received unique code as a valid codeassociated with the copy protected data carrier; outputting, from thesecond computing device, a second data set of audio/video contentassociated with the unique code to the first computing device via thenetwork based on a positive result by the verifying, the second data setincluding a least a portion of audio/video content that is common to theaudio/video content stored on the copy protected data carrier;generating, at the second computing device, a log of either or both ofverification or output instances; and comparing, at the second computingdevice, each receipt of said unique code from the first computing deviceagainst the log and in response to a predetermined verifying oroutputting limit being reached, suspending the outputting of the portionof audio/video content that is common to the audio/video content storedon the copy protected data carrier.
 14. The method according to claim13, wherein the unique code is stored as data on the copy protected datacarrier.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the verificationof the unique code enables automatic access to the second data set onthe second computing device via a browser.
 16. The method according toclaim 13, wherein the outputting of the second data set is a downloadand wherein streaming of the second data set is also permitted inresponse to the verification of the received unique code.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the audio/video content of the first dataset and the audio/video content of the second data set are in adifferent data format.
 18. The method according to claim 13, wherein theaudio/video content of the first data set and the audio/video content ofthe second data set are compressed differently.
 19. The method accordingto claim 13, further comprising: encrypting the second data set beforebeing outputting the second data set to the first computing device. 20.The method according to claim 13, further comprising: controlling thesecond data set by digital rights management to prevent further transferof the audio/video content of the second data set from the firstcomputing device.
 21. The method according to claim 13, furthercomprising: controlling the second data set by digital rights managementto prevent the audio/video content of the second data set from beingtransferred to more than a predetermined number of additional devices.22. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: controllingthe second data set by digital rights management by providing a keyassociated with the first computing device's internal data.
 23. Thesystem according to claim 13, further comprising: suspending the outputof the portion of audio/video content that is common to the audio/videocontent stored on the copy protected data carrier after a date.
 24. Anon-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computerprogram that when executed by a first computing device having a firstdata store, a first processor and a first network interface connected toa network and a second computing device having a second data store, asecond processor and a second network interface connected to the networkcauses the first and second computing devices to execute a method,comprising: accessing, at the first computing device, a copy protecteddata carrier having a first data set including at least audio/videocontent, the first data set being associated with a unique code;transferring, from the first computing device the unique code obtainedfrom the copy protected data carrier to the second computing device viathe network; verifying, at the second computing device, the receivedunique code as a valid code associated with the copy protected datacarrier; outputting, from the second computing device, a second data setof audio/video content associated with the unique code to the firstcomputing device via the network based on a positive result by theverifying, the second data set including a least a portion ofaudio/video content that is common to the audio/video content stored onthe copy protected data carrier; generating, at the second computingdevice, a log of either or both of verification or output instances; andcomparing, at the second computing device, each receipt of said uniquecode from the first computing device against the log and in response toa predetermined verifying or outputting limit being reached, suspendingthe outputting of the portion of audio/video content that is common tothe audio/video content stored on the copy protected data carrier.
 25. Amethod comprising: accessing, at a personal computer, a non-transitorycopy-protected computer readable medium having stored thereon a uniquecode which is assigned to the copy-protected computer readable medium, afirst data content which is encrypted and includes a first audio/videocontent, and a second data content which is encrypted and includes asecond audio/video content; transmitting, from the personal computer,the unique code to a server; verifying, at the server, the unique codeand determining whether an access limit has been reached; providing,from the server and to the personal computer, a decryption key enablingthe accessing and transferring, from the computer readable medium, ofthe second audio/device data which is a duplicate of the firstaudio/video content but in a different format.
 26. The method accordingto claim 24, further comprising: obtaining additional related contentfrom a second computer based on the unique code.
 27. A systemcomprising: a personal computer having a processor and a first networkinterface connected to a network; and a server having a processor and asecond network interface connected to the network, wherein the personalcomputer is configured to: access a non-transitory copy-protectedcomputer readable medium having stored thereon a unique code which isassigned to the copy-protected computer readable medium, a first datacontent which is encrypted and includes a first audio/video content, anda second data content which is encrypted and includes a secondaudio/video content, and transmit the unique code to the server, theserver is configured to: verify the unique code and determine whether anaccess limit has been reached, and provide to the personal computer adecryption key enabling the accessing and transferring, from thecomputer readable medium, of the second audio/device data which is aduplicate of the first audio/video content but in a different format.28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the personal computer isfurther configured to obtain additional related content from a secondcomputer based on the unique code.
 29. The system according to claim 1,wherein the unique code is provided on the surface or on the package ofthe copy protected data carrier.
 30. The system according to claim 1,wherein the output of the portion of audio/video content that is commonto the audio/video content stored on the copy protected data carrier isunavailable before a date.
 31. A non-transitory copy-protected computerreadable medium having stored thereon: a serial code which is assignedto the copy-protected data carrier; data content which is encrypted,wherein the serial code enables a device accessing the non-transitorycopy-protected computer readable medium to obtain a duplicate version ofthe data content stored on the non-transitory copy-protected computerreadable medium.
 32. A data set supplying device including a processorand adapted to output duplicate version(s) of at least parts of content,the duplicate version(s) representing data content being stored on acopy protected data carrier, comprising: a database for storing datasets; a serial code receiving unit configured to receive a serial codeassigned to said copy-protected data carrier from a remote computer viaa network, said serial code also being part of a set of serial codesassigned to a data set; a verification unit configured to verify thereceived serial code; an accessing unit configured to, in dependence ona positive verification of the received serial code, access a data setin the database corresponding to said data content stored on thecopy-protected data carrier in that the data set is a duplicate versionof the data content stored on the copy-protected data carrier; and anoutput unit configured to output at least parts of the accessed data setto the remote computer via said network, wherein any outputting of atleast parts of the accessed data set is limited to a predeterminednumber of supply instances.
 33. The data set supplying device accordingto claim 32, further comprising: an encryption unit configured toencrypt said data set with a digital right management encryption aftersaid data set is accessed and before it is output.
 34. The data setsupplying device according to claim 33, wherein said digital rightmanagement encryption is based on the serial code assigned to said data.35. The data set supplying device according to claim 32, wherein saidserial code is a unique serial code which is assigned to only one datacarrier storing said data set and said set of serial codes are allserial codes assigned to all or a predetermined part of all datacarriers storing the same data.
 36. The data set supplying deviceaccording to claim 32, wherein said verification unit is furtherconfigured to determine a positive verification in case said serial codeis valid in terms of general rules for the structure of a serial code.37. The data set supplying device according to claim 32, wherein saidverification unit is further configured to determine a positiveverification in case said data set should be downloaded and said serialcode is not disabled for the data retrieval.
 38. The data set supplyingdevice according to claim 32, wherein said verification unit is furtherconfigured to disable a serial code for data retrieval in case theassociated data set was output a predetermined amount of times as adownload.
 39. The data set supplying device according to claim 38,wherein said verification unit is further configured not to disable aserial code for the data retrieval in case the associated data set wasoutput as streaming.
 40. The data set supplying device according to anyclaim 32, wherein said serial code comprises an alphanumeric code with apredetermined number of digits.
 41. The data set supplying deviceaccording to claim 32, wherein said serial code comprises a computerreadable code.
 42. The data set supplying device according to claim 32,wherein said data set comprises video and/or audio data.